April saw significant decommitments in college football recruiting, impacting top programs like Georgia and Notre Dame. Several blue-chip prospects flipped their commitments, setting the stage for a competitive recruiting season ahead.
Key points
April saw significant decommitments in college football recruiting
Programs like Georgia and Notre Dame were notably affected
Nearly a dozen blue-chip prospects decommitted or flipped
A competitive recruiting season is expected ahead of Signing Day
Schools are already making moves to fill gaps left by decommitments
GeorgiaIllinoisSouth CarolinaNotre Dame
College football recruiting
College football recruiting
The college football recruiting trail was buzzing in April, with some massive commitments — and on the flip side, some significant decommitments.
Nearly a dozen blue-chip prospects either decommitted or flipped during the month, striking big blows to programs like Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Notre Dame, Miami and more. On the other side of the coin, a few schools have already made their moves with those prospects and added them to their respective recruiting classes.
With a little over seven months until Signing Day, this is just the beginning of what should be a hectic summer. And Rivals breaks down the biggest decommitments in April and the schools they affected:
An early commitment to Georgia this spring, Outhouse was among the most coveted cornerbacks in the country before pledging to the Bulldogs. He never fully shut down his recruitment though, despite taking multiple visits to Athens. He tripped out to Los Angeles last month, and the Bruins made a big move that ultimately paid off with a big-time flip.
Q&A
Which college football programs were affected by decommitments in April?
Programs like Georgia, Illinois, South Carolina, Notre Dame, and Miami were notably impacted by decommitments in April.
How many blue-chip prospects decommitted in April 2023?
Nearly a dozen blue-chip prospects either decommitted or flipped their commitments during April 2023.
What is the significance of decommitments in college football recruiting?
Decommitments can significantly alter recruiting classes and strategies for programs, affecting their future performance and roster composition.
What can we expect in college football recruiting leading up to Signing Day?
With over seven months until Signing Day, a hectic summer of recruiting activity is anticipated as programs adjust to recent decommitments.
Related Articles
Sports
Houston Rockets jersey history No. 13 - Larry Smith
Exploring the Houston Rockets jersey history, focusing on No. 13 worn by Larry Smith.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Big Ten miffed about Duke's landmark Amazon deal to broadcast Madison Square Garden game against Michigan
Big Ten challenges Duke's Amazon streaming deal for game against Michigan
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Misiorowski throws 5 1/3 no-hit innings, leaves early in 6-1 victory
Jacob Misiorowski shines with 5 1/3 no-hit innings in Brewers' 6-1 win!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MLB·Recap
Danny Janssen's HR, Josh Jung's two RBIs lead Rangers past Tigers 5-4
Rangers defeat Tigers 5-4 with Janssen's homer and Jung's RBIs
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
NBA·Recap
Pistons Game 6 comeback: Cade Cunningham outscores Magic in fourth quarter to save season
Cade Cunningham leads Pistons to a stunning Game 6 comeback against the Magic, forcing a Game 7!
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Detroit Tigers, Game 33: One thing I loved, one thing I didn't
Tigers lose 5-4 to Rangers; Hao-Yu Lee impresses at third base.
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
“I love the way coach Chesney is always fired up and how he brings the juice to every practice … no matter what day,” he told Rivals’ Sam Spiegelman. “I love the way he communicates with the other coaches. I see UCLA doing some big things this year with Coach Ches and this new staff.”
A highly productive passer the last two seasons, Lopati has thrown for over 5,600 yards and nearly 60 touchdowns while drawing tons of Power 4 offers. It was a big win for the Illini when he committed last July, and became even bigger as he climbed up the rankings over the past year. Michigan’s new staff took notice of that — and drew on their relationships with him from when they were at Utah. He visited Notre Dame and Michigan this spring, and ultimately pulled the trigger on a flip to the Wolverines.
“I have great relationships with the entire Michigan staff and that was big for me,” Lopati told Rivals’ Greg Biggins. “All of those coaches were recruiting me when they were at Utah and picked things right back up when they got to Michigan.
Fountain, a prospect who Rivals ranks as a top-25 recruit nationally, committed to the Gamecocks back in December. It was a huge momentum-shifter for Shane Beamer and Co. after a very disappointing 2025 season, and Fountain continued to say all the right things about his pledge throughout the winter and early spring. Behind the scenes, the Gators were making moves. He visited Gainesville four times this year, including once almost immediately after committing to South Carolina. Jon Sumrall and Co. eventually got it done in April, striking a big blow to the Gamecocks’ class.
“This has been building,” Fountain told Rivals’ Chad Simmons. “That feeling at Florida is real. From the start, it just felt right. You can feel the greatness there. It’s in the air. I don’t know how else to explain it. You can’t make that up.”
Rivals Industry Ranking: No. 226 (#20 SAF) School: Tustin (Tustin, CA) Status: Committed to UCLA
The California standout was a big early target for a number of schools, but it was Notre Dame who won out in November after a previous commitment to Michigan State. But multiple schools remained in contact with him, including the home-state Bruins. After a few recent visits to Westwood, he felt the chance to stay close to home and his family was simply too good to pass up. He decommitted from the Fighting Irish on April 20 and made his new pledge to the Bruins a day later.
Stevens was one of the earliest commitments in the 2027 class for the Hurricanes, who were coming off a College Football Playoff appearance. A native of the Miami area, he chose The U over dozens of other in-state and out-of-state offers. But as he continued to look around at other schools, Miami also started prioritizing other receiver options. Reports surfaced that the two sides has parted ways, and not long after he made his flip to Lane Kiffin and the Tigers.
“LSU is probably the one closest to Miami. They’re coming very hard,” Stevens said earlier this spring. “Coach George McDonald came down in January and we talk almost every day. LSU has always produced receivers. It is a school I am really interested in.”
